KTM Duke II and 660SMC

[julian]

Taken from my internet snug. Will try harder when it's sunny

New Links which hopefully work now!

Duke and 660SMC

660SMC and Duke

[julian]

Link Working now

[Boxadog 2000]

Not for me though

[julian]

Nor me either??
Just had a tinker & it works now:?

[m25jambuster]

Julian, links still appear to be u/s? Having said that I would welcome your comments about the 660 SMC as I am considering adding to my garage collection with one of these as I have the opportunity to get one at a good price and having recently test ridden one I came back smiling - it was alot of fun - which at the end of the day is what motorcycling is supposed to be about!?

[Paul]

Julian,

I think the problem is with the site you're using to host your pictures. The URL you are using contains information about a login session ID. I suspect that the link works when you first set it up, because you are still logged onto the picture hosting site, but after about 30 minutes it will automagically log you off and the session ID in the URL is no longer valid, so you can't connect to the pictures.

You either need to find another picture hosting site (imagecave?) or if your ISP proivides you with some webspace as part of your connection package, dump the pictures on there.

HTH

Paul

[julian]

OK thx Paul
I have set set the access to 'general' - doh!.
Looks like I can do URL links but not pics.

[julian]

Julian, links still appear to be u/s? Having said that I would welcome your comments about the 660 SMC as I am considering adding to my garage collection with one of these as I have the opportunity to get one at a good price and having recently test ridden one I came back smiling - it was alot of fun - which at the end of the day is what motorcycling is supposed to be about!?

Keith

The 660 is around 130Kg, mine has a full Akarapovic Titanium system and delivers just over 60rwhp. Wavy discs front and rear. Kick start only, no battery, but because of the flatside carb it starts first kick.

Throttle response is crisp with absolutely no fluffyness and it pulls like a train up to around 60MPH running out of useful puff around 80MPH with a top end of around 100MPH (you don't want to go there, or not for long ). Sprockets are currently 16T/42T.

Choice of tyre is important because they can start weaving over 70MPH if using race tyres with light-weight carcass (i.e. Goldspeeds). I've had a couple of instances of head shake landing a wheelie around 60MPH or getting hot on the gas coming out of a fast sweeper when the front is light. Not a problem when you know it's going to happen.

As one would expect, handling is sublime and the amount of lean/grip is phenomonal. I got the pegs down last week and that's a long way over Rear tyre life with road legal wets is around 500 miles (or 1500 miles with sticky road rubber).

Maximum power comes in higher up the rev range than the Duke and you could easily flip the bike off the throttle in second (around 30mph) being hamfisted with the throttle.

On my '02 version there's no oil in the frame so it holds only 1.5 lites of top grade synth. Oil changes are every 500 miles and oil+filters at 1000 miles.

Total tank capacity is 7.5 litres. Reserve has been reached after 35 miles.

As a town bike it is amazing and gets a huge amount of attention because of its looks, colour and noise (LOUD). It drives school kids crazy. Like you say, it is hilarious fun riding one at sensible speeds and that's what is great about them. Oh, and there's not much to clean and polish - which is nice!

p.s. I really appreciate my S after riding the KTMs

[m25jambuster]

Julian
Exactly as I remember the test ride of the 660SMC - FUN. How do they hold up to all weather riding though - whats the all year round build quality like?? I am assuming you can answer this as you have run your Duke through the winter?? Thanks.

[julian]

Build quaility on the Duke is first rate with top quality parts (Renthal, BBS, Brembo, WP). Everything fits and works. I'm sure the 660 is the same.

I rode the Duke 15 miles daily throughout the winter, treating it with Scotoiler F365 (?) salt inhibiter spray after each ride.

There is no furring or rust anywhere.

[m25jambuster]

Julian - thanks for that - it is making the 660 even more appealing now especially as the insurance quote was not alot either!!

[m25jambuster]

Julian - in the end it ended up being a KTM 640 LC4. Absolute gem of a deal and the bike is great fun. My commute is now only 12 miles each way which is mainly 'b' and unclassified roads which I truly believe is ideal for this bike. It is a great amount of fun - I just keep looking for reasons to go out on it which means not alot is getting done around the house. Mrs m25 is now printing off lists of jobs to be done with tick boxes. When all boxes are ticked then I can go out again.